Understanding and Incorporating God Representations Within Counseling

Hannah Barnhill Bayne; Marie Tylsova

doi:10.1002/cvj.12112

Adoption and the Image of God

Journal of Pastoral Care ◽

10.1177/002234099204600304 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 247-260

Author(s):

Ronald J. Nydam

Keyword(s):

Spiritual Development ◽

Image Of God ◽

Adopted Children ◽

Heinz Kohut ◽

Theological Perspective ◽

God Representations ◽

Ontological Foundation ◽

The Image Of God

Presents some of the basic struggles that may surround extrafamilial adoption. Examines both psychologically and theologically the possible effects of the process on a child's view of God. Draws on the works of Ana-Maria Rizzuto and Heinz Kohut to offer a way of understanding the God-representations that adopted children may employ. Presents Paul Tillich's existential-theological perspective as an ontological foundation for the various conceptions of God of adoptees. Suggests that adoption, as one of many human dilemmas, may deeply influence both psychological and spiritual development.

Download Full-text

Mental God-Representation Reconsidered: Probing Collective Representation of Cultural Symbol

Archive for the Psychology of Religion ◽

10.1163/157361203x00084 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 25 (1) ◽

pp. 113-128

Author(s):

Soo-Young Kwon

Keyword(s):

Object Relations ◽

Cultural Traditions ◽

Religious Symbol ◽

Individual Level ◽

Cultural Symbol ◽

Historical Materials ◽

Symbolic Representations ◽

God Representation ◽

God Representations ◽

Collective Representations

The current methods in psychoanalytic studies of God images and representations have focused almost exclusively on individual, internal processes. This article examines how psychological anthropologists go about formulating symbolic representations of deity in their research, in comparison with the object relations method of God-representations. Drawing on Melford Spiro's integrative proposal for interpreting the mental and collective representations in religious symbol systems, this paper proposes that there is a need for a comprehensive model of the representational process in the Eastern world in order to suit its cultural traditions. The author uses both theoretical and historical materials as well as personal narrative throughout its entirety to balance the two in a mutual and coherent flow of understanding. Noting the culturally patterned interactions with culturally postulated God-symbols, the object relations method of God-representations will be utilized to probe how God is both created and found on a collective (cultural) level as well as individual level.

Download Full-text